Welsh clubs learn B&I draw

An open draw has been made to determine the Pool allocation of Wales' British & Irish Cup participants.

Wales' 12 Principality Premiership sides face play-off matches against other Premiership clubs within their Region over the first two weekends of the season in order to select four clubs that will this season represent Wales in the cross-border competition.

This completes the draw for this season's British & Irish Cup campaign so Wales' clubs now know who they will be up against in the competition if they win their Regional play-off final.

The draw was made at a meeting of the WRU and Premiership clubs, and places the winner of the Gwent play-offs in Pool 1 with Ealing, champions Leinster and Mosely, the winner of the Blues play-off between Cardiff and Pontypridd in Pool 2 with competition newcomers Edinburgh Academicals, along with London Welsh who return after a year in the Premiership and London Scottish.

The winner of the Scarlets play-offs will play Bedford, Rotherham and Connacht in Pool 3 and the winner of the Ospreys play-offs will meet Leeds, Bristol and Gala in Pool 4. The British & Irish Cup proper kicks off in October.

Final positions in last season's Principality Premiership determines the number of matches teams play, and will give teams home advantage.

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

Girls in North Wales have two great rugby role models in WRU Regional Coordinator Rachel Taylor and Rhyl High School Hub Officer Ale Lewis, both helping to increase opportunities for women and girls in Welsh rugby.

In this weeks podcast, Bargoed captain Leigh Meades and Swansea head coach Richard Lancaster chat to WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie who hears that both camps are determined to move up the Principality Premiership table.

One of the newest members of the Principality Premiership, Bargoed admit it's proving to be a steep learning curve at the highest level, but are determined to become a force to be reckoned with. WRU TV visited the club last weekend when they took on Llanelli.

This week on the Pick and Go Podcast, WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie is joined by South Wales Argus rugby writer Chris Kirwan to preview this weekend's Principality Premiership action. Aberavon winger Steffan Andrews also makes an appearance.

Table-topping Aberavon travel to north Wales to tackle RGC 1404 as both teams defend unbeaten starts to the season in the Principality Premiership. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie visited the Wizards to see how their preparations were going for the game of the weekend.

This week in the Principality Premiership, all roads lead to the new pitch at Sardis Road where Pontypridd take on Merthyr in the most highly anticipated game of the season. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie previews the big clash, along with all the other Premiership games this weekend, with guest Ioan Dyer.

The Half a Game initiative is currently sweeping across Wales and proving a major success. The scheme aims to give every young player at least half a game every weekend. WRU TV recently visited a festival in Narberth where clubs have fully embraced the initiative.

Both Bargoed and Swansea were seeking their first win of the Principality Premiership season this afternoon. It proved a fruitful day for the hosts - not only did they win, but Bargoed claimed a try bonus point.

Cardiff managed to keep their unbeaten record at home intact, but only just as Bridgend made them work extremely hard before the Blue and Blacks secured a hard fought Principality Premiership win at the BT Sport Arms Park last night.

Former Wales back row Andy Powell gives a guided tour of The Wern, home of Merthyr RFC, who are determined to prove a lot of people wrong and make their mark in their first season in the Principality Premiership.

Students at Brynllywarch Hall School, near Newtown, have transformed their own lives, and are now having a positive impact on others through rugby. The sport has had a life-changing effect on the well-being of the students who are now delivering rugby sessions to local primary schools and playing for a new mixed ability side

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

The race for a top half finish in the new look Principality Premiership is set for a dramatic finish over the Christmas and New Year period with only three of the 16 clubs definitely ruled out of the reckoning.

The Welsh Rugby Union is calling on all grassroots clubs to nominate a club integrity officer who will be invited to anti-doping awareness workshops and receive information in order to educate their players and coaches